networks.coop (then CBN) partnered with Suffolk County Council to create a Renewable Energy Programme aimed at advancing the council’s net-zero carbon targets. This strategy leveraged council-owned land to generate revenue while supporting Suffolk’s climate goals. Although not implemented, the project established key frameworks and open source templates compliant with HM Treasury’s Green Book.
Networks.coop and Suffolk County Council collaborated through a structured programme using Treasury Green Book principles. Workshops with stakeholders identified renewable energy opportunities—such as solar farms, EV charging hubs, and battery storage—to bring immediate economic and environmental benefits.
Important outputs of the work included:
The Value Exchange Model:
This approach looked at how underutilised or ‘low grade’ land could be harnessed for renewable energy generation with increased revenue potential, transforming council assets into a source of economic and environmental value.
Cooperative and Scalable Design:
Featuring Cooperative Asset Sharing, the strategy envisaged a flexible framework for shared renewable energy projects, to build resilience and scale sustainably.
Open Source Templates and Models:
As a lasting legacy, the project produced a set of open-source templates and financial models—freely available for other local authorities to use as they develop their own renewable strategies.